Before the winter came we replaced the barn floor. We did the demo and the framing, and had the concrete poured as Merle and Raven watched from above the half doors.

We were worried about the coming winter, wondering if we would need to blanket them. In researching this we found that the consensus from mule owners was don't even bother – your blankets will end up in tatters. So we left the barn doors open so they might come in, and in fact they did, one standing guard while the other lay down.

Then we made a mistake. We brought them in one cold night and closed the doors. In the morning the barn felt like a steam bath. Now when we bring out their night hay, they eye us suspiciously from beyond the barn doors until we go back inside.

Standing in the weather, regardless of the conditions, is their idea of a good time. It seems to be contemplative for them, as if the feel of the rain running off their back is a kind of massage, the snow hypnotic. They become as furry as grizzlies, more feral with each passing day, watching the cloudy skies roll over.

Now that the weather has warmed and there are cobalt skies and a soft breeze, they've taken to staying in the barn. Go figure. It might be because it's cooler, and so we do our best to catch them and groom them, wafts of hair falling off them and blowing away like scurrying little creatures.

The paddock, which was a mud fest until recently is dry and even a little dusty. We let them out for short periods into the newly greening pastures, careful not to let them get too much sugar.

The vet is coming this week to give them semi-annual shots and to float their teeth.

Good luck!